đź’¸ Latina Equal Pay Day 2025: You Are Worthy of More (And Here's How to Start Claiming It)
“We may not have created this system, but we are powerful enough to navigate it, challenge it, and build wealth anyway.” - Erika Dox-Martinez
Latina Equal Pay Day 2025
Today, October 8th, 2025, is Latina Equal Pay Day, which represents how long into this year Latinas have had to work to make what white, non-Hispanic men earned last year alone.
Let me say that again:
It takes us 22 months to earn what they earned in 12.
On average, Latinas are paid just 54 cents for every dollar earned by white men. And that number goes up to only 58 cents if you’re working full-time year-round. (Source: Current Population Survey, 2024)
It’s frustrating. It’s disheartening. And it’s real.
But if there’s one thing I know, it’s this:
đź’› We may not have created this system, but we are powerful enough to navigate it, challenge it, and build wealth anyway.
As a financial wellness coach, I work with ambitious, heart-centered Latinas who are already doing everything right — showing up, working hard, supporting their families — and still feeling like they’re behind financially.
Not because they’re irresponsible. But because the math is not mathing.
But here's what I want to offer you today:
Yes, the wage gap is real.
Yes, the system is flawed.
And yes, you can still build wealth.
We just have to do it differently.
Here’s how:
✨ 1. Know Your Worth (And Own It)
Your money story begins with believing you’re worthy of more.
Start by tracking your wins — yes, you.
No one else is going to keep receipts of your greatness, and your manager is not going to remember everything you’ve done when it’s time for a raise, promotion or review.
📒 Start a “Power Portfolio” aka Brag File/Wins Book — a Google Doc, a notebook, or even a folder in your email and document:
The challenges you solved
The ideas you brought to life
The value you delivered
The compliments and acknowledgement emails you received
This isn’t about ego — it’s about evidence.
Then take that evidence and use your voice to advocate for yourself and what you want!
🔍 2. Know What You Should Be Earning
It’s hard to ask for more when you don’t even know what “more” looks like.
And that’s no accident since many workplaces thrive on pay secrecy, keeping us in the dark on purpose.
But the truth? Transparency is power.
đź’» Take some time and research on sites like: Glassdoor or Salary.com
Search for your job title, industry, and location.
If you’re underpaid — and many of us are — it’s not your fault.
But now that you know, you can advocate.
💬 Pro tip: Have conversations with trusted colleagues. Normalize salary transparency with your friends. Note: The National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) protects your right to discuss your pay with your fellow employees without the fear of discipline or retaliation.
đź’ 3. Shift Your Money Mindset
Most of us weren’t raised to build wealth — we were raised to survive.
And sometimes, even when we’re making “good money,” we still feel like we’re broke.
Why? Because no one taught us how to heal our money wounds or examine the beliefs we picked up from childhood, culture, or trauma.
Here are some beliefs I had to unlearn:
“I’m just not good with money.”
“Saving is pointless while I’m in debt.”
“I have to spend money on others to prove I love them.”
None of that was true and I told myself a different story and you can too!
💡 What’s one money belief you’re ready to release and rewrite today?
Remember: You can’t budget your way out of a scarcity mindset. But you can shift your money story and everything changes from there.
đź’° 4. Pay Yourself First & Make Your Money Grow
This is one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make:
Start paying yourself first. Not last.
That means — before you buy that $8 cup of coffee, before your girl's night out, before you spend on anything else — you set aside money for you. For your peace. For your future. For your freedom.
Even if it’s just $20. Start now. Start small. Just start.
💛 You’ve been working so hard for your money so it’s time your money starts working for you.
And that’s where growth comes in. We have to be intentional about growing what we have.
Here’s what that looks like:
Put a little into savings every time you get paid
Set up a high-yield savings account (a regular bank won't cut it — look for accounts paying 3.5% or more!)
Start/Contribute more to retirement accounts like a 401k or IRA — future you will thank you!
Learn about investing, even if it feels intimidating at first (This is where your money grows while you sleep!)
Explore ways to bring in extra income — maybe a side hustle, selling something, freelancing, or turning a skill into cash
Wealthy people don’t rely on just one paycheck — they create multiple streams of income.
And guess what? So can you.
You don’t need to know everything to get started.
You just need a plan and to believe you’re worth it and take the first step.
đź“ť 5. Create a Blissful Spending Plan
I don’t teach budgets the old-fashioned way.
I teach Blissful Spending Plans — because you deserve to spend with intention, clarity, and joy.
đź’« A Blissful Spending Plan helps you:
Cover your essentials
Fund your goals (savings, investing, debt-payoff)
Enjoy your life now (without guilt)
Give generously (if you choose)
And most importantly?
A Blissful Spending Plan helps you stop winging it with your dinero.
🎉 Ready to Start? Let’s Create Yours Together.
In honor of Latina Equal Pay Day, I’m offering a limited-time special for the month of October:
đź’¸ A Blissful Spending Plan Session for only $147 (Regularly $197)
One-on-one session with me
Customized to your income, values & goals
Limited spots available!
đź’› Final Words
The wage gap is real. But so is your power.
And you are absolutely worthy of building a blissful, abundant, wealthy life — starting today.
Let’s make money feel like bliss.
We can do this - together, Bli$$ Seekers!
With Love and Gratitude,
Erika Dox-Martinez
Trauma of Money Certified Financial Wellness Coach - CEO & Founder of Blissful Vida
